Best instructional design certificate courses and programs
Instructional designers (IDs) are very much in demand in the labor market. This position has what could be described as a balanced mix of creative and routine tasks. Instructional designers are professionals that do both teaching and creating digital content.
This position also comes with a healthy work-life balance.
If you are thinking of becoming an ID, you will need training in the form of certificate programs and courses. Here are some of the top ID certificate courses and programs you should look into.
1) Instructional Design Video Series on YouTube
This is a great point to start and acquire beginner knowledge on instructional design. It is a series of lectures hosted by Ray Pastore. The lecture series runs for 8.5 hours and covers the basics as well as specific topics like creating 3D content and style content.
The ID course is available for free. However, it is not a certification course.
2) Learning design basics: pedagogy into practice on OpenLearning
You can enroll in this course for free, but the certificate comes at a cost, $40. This is also a beginner-level course, and it runs for 15 hours. This course covers the principles of instructional design.
This course is great for when you want to learn about the theories of digital training. Also, it focuses on how to enhance retention in digital learning.
3) Instructional Design for eLearning on Udemy
This is a paid beginner course that runs for about 5 hours. The content, which is majorly theory-based, especially focuses on ID terminologies. Although the course is not highly practice-based, it is a great starting point. This course gives good insight into ID on a broad level.
This course costs $95 and participants get certificates of completion.
4) Become an L&D Professional: Learning Path on LinkedIn Learning
You can enroll in this intermediate-level course that runs for 12 hours and is available for free for LinkedIn Learning subscribers. You get a certificate for completing this course too. This course is a full learning path made up of 11 video courses and was put together by 9 authors.
This course covers a range of aspects of learning and development (L&D). Aspects covered in this course include gamifying learner experience, measuring learning effectiveness, and increasing learner engagement.
As an intermediate-level course, it is great for persons that have the basics covered but want to enhance their knowledge on ID principles.
5) Instructional Design Academy on IDOL Courses
You can take this course with any level of experience in the ID industry. Dr. Robin Sargent is the creator of this cohort-based training. The non-academic course covers both the theory and the practical. It re-emphasized theories already learned and focuses on the practical application of the theories.
This course runs for eight weeks and costs $197. Learners get Credly badges on the completion of this course.
6) Instructional Design Certificate from University of Wisconsin-Stout
This certificate program is made up of four courses. Each of the four courses that make the program focuses on a particular topic. The topics covered include instructional strategies and project management for ID.
As opposed to the other courses highlighted in this article, this is an academic program that can translate to good value on the job market. On completing the program, learners get an academic certificate.
This course runs for 9 months. It can be taken by persons with different levels of knowledge on ID, and it costs $5,592.
MicroMasters Program in Instructional Design and Technology from University of Maryland
This is another academic program that covers both the theory and practice of ID. Apart from the practice and theory, it also covers other competencies like data analytics. This program specifically focuses on digital learning on mobile devices. The program is an instructor-led program that runs for 8 months.
Learners can take this course with any level of knowledge of ID. The program costs $1,196. The program is made up of four graduate-level courses.